The August Bank Holiday is almost upon us with a wealth of fun events for all the family. It's the last bank holiday bonanza before Christmas and (hopefully) a chance to eke out the most out of the summer sun.

The Big Bake

GBBO winner Candice Brown (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Newstead Abbey, Saturday, August 26 to Monday, August 28

Discover the secrets behind how to avoid a soggy bottom when the celebrity bakers roll into town, brought to you by the team behind the Great Food and Drink Festivals.

GBBO winner Candice Brown, will be showing off the skills that won her the baking crown. As famous for her lipstick as well as her bakes, she will be the star guest on August 26.

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It’s the turn of Rosemary Shrager on August 27 and Gizzi Erskine on August 28. Also appearing that day will be local talent Danielle Gotheridge, who has baked ‘wow’ factor cakes for celebrities including Justin Bieber.

Visitors can try their hand at baking and masterclasses that are running each day. The dozens of food and drink stalls will keep you fed and watered during the day and there’s a chance to stock up on goodies to take home. Crafts and children’s entertainment mean there’s something to keep all the family happy.

Admission: Adults £10, under tens free.

Summer Nights Film Festival

Summer Nights Film Festival

Wollaton Hall, Thursday, August 24 to Monday, August 28

Some of the outdoor screenings in the grounds of the Elizabethan manor have already sold out but there are still tickets available on the door for Moulin Rouge (tonight), The Dark Knight Rises, with subtitles, (Sunday) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Monday).

Doors open at 7pm, estimated start time 8.30pm. Take a picnic, take a rain coat.

Admisson: Adults £13, under 12s £9, under fives go free. Find out more at summernightsfilm.co.uk

Country Brunch and Bluegrass Jamboree

Waffles at Annie's Burger Shack

Annie’s Burger Shack, Broadway, Monday, August 28, 10am-4pm

Yew haw! Get ready for some jolly jamboree fun. Revellers can enjoy all-day American breakfasts from the four corners of the United States, from Seattle Smoked Salmon Benedict to Boston Franks and Beans.

A taste of country life comes to the city with hayrides, games, market stalls and authentic country bluegrass music.

Bank Holiday Beach Party

Slug and Lettuce, Forman Street, Friday, August 25 to Monday, August 28

Go tropical this bank holiday when the pub turns into a Havana club. Sunglasses, hats, UV face paint and beach wear are positively encouraged - but mankinis are banned.

Admission: Free

Dinosaurs of China

Dinosaurs of China at Wollaton Hall (Image: Shawn Ryan)

Wollaton Hall, Nottingham, all weekend

See lifesize dinosaur skeletons, never shown outside Asia before. Marvel at the mighty mamenchisaurus, a whopping 13.5metres tall and gape at the gigantoraptor, the largest bird-like dinosaur in the world, which has never been on display to the public before, even in China.

The skeletons are replicas but so what? They are still a spectacle. Alternatively, there's a free satellite exhibition at Nottingham Lakeside Arts Centre.

Admission: Adults £7.70, children over five £5.50, family £22, dinosaursofchina.co.uk

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Nottingham Beach

Nottingham-by-the-Sea

Old Market Square, all weekend

In just a few days the beach will be packed away, signaling the end of the summer and the return to school. But it’s not too late to squeeze in a visit this weekend and enjoy all the fun of the seaside.

Enjoy the sand, paddling pool, deckchairs, beach bar and fairground rides - hopefully with glorious sunshine - without having to sit in lengthy tailbacks en route to Skeggy and endure cries of “are we nearly there yet?” every five minutes.

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D.H. Lawrence Festival of Culture

All the fun of the fair

Various venues across Eastwood and the surrounding area, from Saturday, August 26

Exhibitions, a family funfair and a beer festival are some of the activities lined up for the festival celebrating Eastwood's famous son (although you don't need to be a fan of his work to enjoy most of the bank holiday events).

Beauvale Priory Beer Festival is already under way at the pub and runs until Monday, with live music.

Admission: Most events are free. All rides are chargeable.

Southwell Music Festival

Southwell Music Festival

Various venues, now until Monday, August 28

The annual festival returns to Southwell to celebrate classical music, to raise the profile of the town and its magnificent medieval Minster, and to inspire local musicians – especially young people.

This year's line-up of outstanding performers includes violinist Maia Cabeza and oboe player Suzie Thorn.